% free PSA

A high % free PSA level means that there's more free PSA in your blood than usual, which could be due to various reasons. Your age, inflammation, or certain medications might affect your prostate gland's function, causing it to produce more free PSA. It's also possible that your body naturally makes more free PSA or that there's an overall increase in PSA production. This can be linked to non-cancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. Although a higher % free PSA is often associated with benign conditions, it doesn't completely rule out other prostate issues.

Symptoms of high levels of % free PSA may not be noticeable, as this is a blood marker and does not directly cause symptoms. However, if the elevated levels are due to an underlying prostate condition, symptoms could include frequent urination, difficulty starting and stopping urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, pain or discomfort during urination, and presence of blood in the urine or semen.

A low % free PSA level might mean that your body is making more PSA attached to other proteins than the free-floating kind. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as your age, how you live your life, or even certain medications that can affect your prostate's function. It could also suggest that your prostate isn't working at its best. Some possible causes for this imbalance include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, or prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. Keep in mind that these conditions are common and can be managed with the right care and lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of low levels of % free PSA may not be immediately noticeable. However, if related conditions such as BPH or prostatitis are present, you might experience urinary issues such as frequent urination, difficulty starting or maintaining urination, or a weak urine stream.